2007-11-10 03:08:45 · 16 answers · asked by Pinks 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
I think the straightforward "to make the chef stand out from the others" is pretty accurate. In upscale kitchens, there are usually multiple chefs...a sous chef, perhaps a pastry chef, and a head or executive chef. The head (or exec) chef is the big man (or woman) in charge, and it's simply tradition that dictates the height of his/her cap.
Another interesting thing to mention: the folds or pleats in a chef's cap have special meaning---or at least, they used to. Traditionally, the pleats in the hat represented the number of ways/varieties in which the chef could prepare eggs. The more pleats, the higher the level of mastery of the chef. Nowadays, the pleats are for the most part ornamental.
BTW, I am a chef (and a part-time author). Want to know what kind of hat I wear? A New York Yankees baseball cap.
2007-11-10 03:26:26 · answer #1 · answered by What the Deuce?! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hierarchy.
The taller your chefs hat (or toque) the higher your status in the kitchen.
Now regarded as old-fashioned in todays commercial kitchens, the apprentices would wear a skull cap or very short toque whilst the highest toque would belong to the head chef
2007-11-10 11:28:01 · answer #2 · answered by elliott 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the story I've heard, which sounds so absurd you know it's got to be the truth. Lay scholars who took refuge in seventh-century Byzantine monasteries during persecutions adopted headgear based on that of their clerical hosts. You've seen pictures of Greek Orthodox priests with those crowned black hats with the high band, right? Well, that's what the lay scholars wore, only their version was white, so as not to confuse the faithful.
Go figure!
2007-11-10 11:18:28 · answer #3 · answered by KyLoveChick 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They hide the glass of Cognac under there!
2007-11-10 11:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Ronatnyu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, they r tall cuz that way the people in the kitchen have no trouble finding him and he/she stands out.
2007-11-10 11:16:28 · answer #5 · answered by j-lyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea!
=S
Probably to make themselves stand out in the kitchen?!
2007-11-10 11:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by Panic_Coral 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question! I can't wait to read the answers.
2007-11-10 11:11:54 · answer #7 · answered by Ginger R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a status symbol that is easily recognizeable and distinguishes him from the other cooks.
he is "higher" than the other workers.
2007-11-10 11:12:18 · answer #8 · answered by shallytally 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More material to wipe their hands on.
2007-11-10 11:16:31 · answer #9 · answered by Harley Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to find them easyler and to hid the rat
2007-11-10 14:01:08 · answer #10 · answered by sccott m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋